Konkan is the coastal division of Maharashtra state in India. It stretches north-south from the city of Mumbai (Bombay) in the north, to Goa which borders the southern tip of Konkan.
Districts
18°3′18″N 72°51′0″E
Map of Konkan- Mumbai — covering the districts of Greater Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban
- Raigad
- Ratnagiri
- Sindhudurg
- Thane
Mumbai, Raigad and Thane and are administratively a part of a massive conurbation called Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which has its own development authority.
Cities
- 1 Mumbai — The capital of Konkan and the financial capital of India
- 2 Badlapur —
- 3 Dapoli —
- 4 Dombivli —
- 5 Kalyan —
- 6 — planned city of Maharashtra
- 7 Thane —
- 8 Ratnagiri —
Other destinations
Understand
In reality, the entire stretch from Thane to Mangalore forms the historical Konkan region, with some definitions including the entire western coast of India, from Gujarat to Kerala in it. But the official name of Konkan has been assigned only to the Maharashtrian part. It is an approximately 40-km-wide strip of land between the Arabian sea and Deccan plateau (Ghats).
Talk
Marathi, Konkani, Hindi. The locals would typically not speak very fluent English however, they'll speak enough broken English for people to understand. People are generally warm and helpful and would point out the best places to eat or see.
Get in
Get around
See
- 1 Alibaug. Alibaug is the weekend getaway from the chaos that is Mumbai. Lot of Mumbaikars go to alibaug via ferry (Ferry Wharf, Bhaucha Dhakka). The beach is very commercialized and very crowded.
- 2 Ambernath (55 km NE - take a train to here). See the Lord Shiva Temple (16th century).
- 3 Amboli.
- 4 Chiplun (290 km S, on Konkan railway route between Khed & Ratnagiri Stns). Here are the Chiveli Vagheshwari Temple and the Pandavaas Caves.
- 5 Ganpatipule (20 km Ratnagiri).
- 6 Guhagar (Chiplun 50 km East). Guhagar has possibly the best beach in the whole of Konkan stretch. In the interiors of Konkan, away from any kind of noise, Guhagar is the amongst the best places to have a relaxed couple of days on the beach. The beach is pristine clean and virtually virgin. Home stays with local families is the best option to stay.
- 7 Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Raigad (35 km East).
- 8 Beaches of Dapoli (150 km S). Ladghar Beach, Murud Beach, Harnai Beach, Palanda Beach.
- 9 Kihim Beach (South).
- 10 Kashid (about 40 km south from Alibaug). The beach is slowly becoming a popular tourist destination. You can find a lot of small resorts in Kashid which offer all modern amenities. Water sports can also be done here.
- 11 Murud Janjira (100 km South). - Murud Janjira is mainly known for its Fort. The fort is in the middle of the sea, and presents a good experience for the tourist visiting it. Ferries ply regularly from the beach to the fort and back.
- 12 Diveagar Beach. Diveagar is a small village on the konkan coast. Known for its Ganesh temple & Seagulls. One can take the Mumbai - Goa highway if travelling by road or the better route is to take a ferry from Rajapuri (Rajapuri is about 10 km from Murud.) The 30-min ferry ride is quite a fun journey as a lot of locals use it to travel back and forth.
- 13 Harihareshwar Temple. Harihareshwar is another small village on the Konkan route. The harihareshwar temple is an abode of Lord Shiva. The ancient temples in this area are the living specimen of Indian architectural style blended with Maratha style of constructions.
- 14 Kelshi. Kelshi is famous for at least two historic monuments, the Dargah of Yaqub Sarvari (who was the 11th spiritual leader of Shivaji) and Laxmi Mandir. Very few hotels are available here to stay but generally people can do home stays. Family's rent out dormitory type rooms for about ₹100-150 per person. This being well in the interiors of the Konkan Region, if you are lucky you may meet local traveling theater groups. Do visit the local sand dunes as well if you are here.
- 15 Nagaon Beach (Alibag 10 km).
- 16 Ratnagiri (300 km S, 6-7 hr journey in train from Mumbai, same comfortable using a (a/c & non a/c) bus). Ratnadurga Sea Fort, Thebaw Pagoda Palace.
- 17 Rajapur (350 km S, 8.5hrs). Visit the Yeshwantgad, an island fortification.
- 18 Srivardhan (about 25 km from Diveagar). Srivardhan is a lazy village. The Diveagar-Srivardhan journey is amongst the most scenic routes on the Konkan stretch. The route has breathtaking views of the Arabian sea on one side and mountains on the other. The beaches are much more cleaner than the Alibaug, Kashid or even Murud beaches.
- 19 Sindhudurg Fort, Kurte Island (ferry from Malvan).
- 20 Tarkarli Beach.
Do
Eat
- Fruits from April to May end you must have the king of fruits Hapus (or "Alphonso") mango especially from Ratnagari District. You can also try on Fanas (jackfruit), Karvanda (blue berries), Jambhul, Kokam, cashew fruit/nut
- Tender coconut.
- San-za-na, jackfruit Idli with coconut or cow milk
- Fanas Bhaji, jackfruit curry
- Amti Bhat, rice and yellow dal curry
- Koyada, half ripe mango curry
- Vatli dal, raw mango dal
- Sol kadhi Kokam curry
- Kadva wal usal beans curry
- Bangdyache human mackarel cococnut curry
Veg specialities in Konkan Region:
- Chulivarchya Bhakrya - Cake of native grains made on chulha
- Fanas Bhaji - Spicy jackfruit curry
- Amti Bhat - rice and yellow dal curry
- Koyada - half ripe mango sweet sour curry
- San-za-na- jackfruit sweet dish with coconut or cow milk
- Kelphoolachi Bhaji - a konkan favourite made of banana flowers
- Vatli dal - side dish made up with raw mango dal
- Sol kadhi - Kokam curry
- Lord Ganesha's favourite steamed delight, the modak.
Non-veg specialities in Konkan Region:
- Kurkuron Bombeel - crisply fried Mumbai duck
- Tisrya-che Kalvan - clams in thick spicy masala
- Bangadyachi Chatni - spicy dry dish made of tasty fish
- Vade - Sagoti - meat dish with fried cake of mixed grains
Famous restaurants for seafood:
- Hotel Abhishek Chiplun - restaurant in Chiplun for fresh seafood
- Hotel Annapurna - Seafood and Konkani food at Guhaghar Beach
- Hotel Atithi Bamboo - Seafood at Tarkarli Beach
- Hotel Sai Malhar Bhojanalay - Seafood at Ratnagiri Beach
Drink
- Kokam Sarbat, cool kokam juice
- Amba Panha, raw mango drink
- Tender coconut water
- Maadi-fresh palm sap
- Sol-Kadhi, typical Konkani drink made by Kokam
- Avala Sarbat, typical Konkani drink made by Avala
- Karvand Sarbat, typical Konkani drink made by Karvand